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The Australian decisive policy to ban social networking access for those under 16 is sending ripples around the globe. Politicians, child protection groups, and families are monitoring with great interest to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for other nations.

Across Europe Movement

Across Europe, a growing group of countries are moving toward comparable measures.

• Denmark has announced a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the PM stating that mobile devices and apps are "robbing our youngsters' innocence". The policy could be enacted soon.
• The Norwegian government is preparing to introduce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to shield the young from the "influence of the algorithms".
• Ireland is working on a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media participants. The media minister have indicated that an similar ban remains "one of the tools in reserve".
• In Spain, the president has urged parliament to enact a proposal lifting the access age for joining social media to 16.
• In France, the head of state has floated the idea of a ban for children below 15, and a parliamentary commission has endorsed a comparable action, including an overnight "screen time restriction" for adolescents.
• The government in The Dutch government has advised guardians to restrict their kids from social media before 15.

At the EU level, the bloc's legislature has approved a symbolic resolution calling for a ban for teenagers under 16 except if parental consent is provided. Although it warns of the "addictive" quality of these apps, the resolution does not establish mandatory rules.

"A strong age limit is a good starting point," commented the MEP behind the measure.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Eye

For the United Kingdom, the administration has not ruled out a potential ban, arguing that "no option is being dismissed" but insisting any action must be "supported by strong data".

Earlier, support grew behind a bill to introduce restrictions on social media use by teenagers, but it was in the end watered down. However, the administration pledged to conduct more studies the matter.

Campaign organizations have raised concerns. An organization established by the loved ones of a girl who died after encountering dangerous social media material argues that a simple age ban may not protect children and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of harm when teens turn 16.

"The Australian ban is a answer to the failure of the social media companies to design products and services that are secure and suitable for children," stated a prominent online safety campaigner.

America: A Fragmented Picture

Across America, regulation is primarily happening at the state government level against a backdrop of national stalemate.

• The state of Utah requires parental consent for minors to use social media and limits late-night use.
• Florida has signed a law banning those below 14 from creating accounts on social media, though it is entangled in legal challenges.
• The state of Virginia has passed a rule restricting under-16s to one hour of social media access per day, with any further access dependent on adult consent.
• The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed laws mandating parental consent for teenagers to set up social media presences.

Even with bipartisan support and calls from some individuals to follow Australia's lead, a federal ban is currently seen as unlikely.

Global Perspectives

Outside of the West, other states are likewise exploring options.

• The Malaysian government aims to prohibit social media for teenagers effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has lifted the required age for Instagram to 16.

But, world agencies strike a more measured stance. Unicef has advised that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "may even backfire". The agency highlights that social networks can be a "vital connection" for isolated children and that government action should not be a "excuse" for platform operators to improve safety.

Even as this global discussion evolves, the policies of Australia and several other countries show that policymakers internationally are no longer content to wait for the industry to make changes on their own.